Sept. 23, 2024 | CREB

How to report fake property ads

Have you ever spotted your property being advertised for rent online when it’s not actually for rent? You’re not alone. This frustrating scenario happens to many homeowners, landlords, and property managers.

Scammers often use listing information and photos from legitimate sales or rental ads to create fake rental listings, aiming to deceive prospective tenants. Unfortunately, this type of scam is more common than many realize. Whether you're a homebuyer, home seller, landlord, tenant, or property manager, it’s important to know what to do if you come across a fake property ad. 

How to report a fake ad

If you notice your property—or a property you’re involved with—being falsely advertised as a rental, here are steps you can take: 

1. Contact the website hosting the ad 

Most websites have tools or guidelines for reporting ads that violate their advertising policies. Check the platform’s compliance resources or look for a “report ad” option directly on the website. 

2. Look up instructions for reporting 

If the website doesn’t have an obvious way to report the ad, search their FAQs or Google “How to report a fake ad on [website name].” Many websites provide detailed steps for submitting concerns about fake ads or scams. 

3. Email the website 

You may need to email the website directly when there's no automated system. Providing them with details about the fake ad, including links and screenshots, can help them investigate. 

Why reporting fake ads is important 

Reporting fake property advertisements helps protect consumers from falling victim to scams and ensures the integrity of the real estate industry. Many websites rely on user reports to identify and remove fraudulent ads. Without these reports, they may not be aware of the issue. 

Imagine the relief of a prospective tenant who avoided a scam because you reported a fake ad. Your actions can have a direct impact on protecting others. If you or your clients find a property listing that is falsely advertised as a rental, encourage them to report it to the hosting website. Taking this small step can prevent others from being scammed. 

Additional resources for reporting fraud 

In Canada, fraudulent online ads that are intended to deceive or profit through false information can also be reported to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. If you’ve been a victim of fraud, you can contact your local police for further assistance. 

Tips to avoid rental scams 

If you know anyone who is searching for a rental property, it’s essential to remind them to be cautious. Encourage them to research common rental scams so they can recognize fraudulent ads and avoid becoming a victim. 

Scams don’t stop – tenants, stay vigilant 

Even after securing a legitimate rental and moving in, scams can still occur. Scammers may attempt to pose as landlords or property managers by sending fake requests for rent payments or banking information updates. They might even hack into legitimate email accounts to send these requests. 

Always double-check any request to change your payment method or banking details to protect yourself. Our tip? Don’t reply directly to suspicious emails. Instead, contact your landlord or property management company using the information provided in your lease agreement to confirm whether the request is genuine. If necessary, ask for an amendment to the lease to reflect any changes to how rent will be collected. 

By staying vigilant, reporting fake ads, and sharing these tips with others, you can help keep yourself and others safe from real estate scams. 

Tagged: Advertising